Waiting for a Food Policy for Canada

Food Secure Canada and many other groups and organizations spent years lobbying for the development of a national food policy in Canada. In November 2015 the Trudeau government charged the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food (AAFC) to lead this development. With online and in-person consultations being held throughout summer 2017, there are no signs of reports from those hearing. The policy was originally expected to be announced May 2018.

During this prolonged process, Food Secure Canada has continued actively pushing their agenda. Here are some ways they have been pushing their case for a national food policy:

Publication of our report on community consultation events convened with members

National Food Policy Council webcast seminar co-convened by FSC with the Universities of Carleton and Ottawa, and CFICE. Led by Professor Peter Andrée, the expert panel explained the rationale for the Council and the process that has built cross-sectoral consensus support. Watch here: A national food policy council is vital for Canada.

MPs and Senators have also been championing school food and local food. The Coalition for Healthy School Food issued a press statement in support of Senator Art Eggleton’s motion calling on the federal government to launch a national nutrition program for children and youth. The drive for growth in the food sector is also gathering pace. Agri-food was identified as a priority export growth sector by the government’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth. Their “Barton report” established an ambitious target of $75 billion for agri-food exports by 2025, with scant regard for local and domestic markets, food security or impacts on climate change targets.